Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-08-27
THE CHANGERS PICNIC.
The Great Interstate Picnic Exhibition to Open
at Williams Grove on August, 29th.
IMPROVED RAILROAD FACILITIES THIS YEAR.
A Liberal Expenditure OF Money Made To
Afford New Attractions and Accommoda-
lions, New Buildings Erected, sidtngs.
Constructed.-Increas Exhibits.

The Changers Picnic, or as it is now termed
the Interstate Picnic Exhibition, will open at
Williams Grove on Monday August 10th and
continue during the whole week. This great
exhibition at first only picnic of a few local
oranges has grown to be one OF the most
famous agricultural exhibitions in the country,
and is the Mecca to which farmers, manutac-
turers, stock raise,s, in fact all of the q eat
producing class, make their annual pilgrimage.
The exhibition comes at season OF the year
when the farmer after q summers toni can gam
a much needed recreation in attending it, as
well as having an opportunity to acquire
knowledge of the improved methods of husr
bandry.
THE GROVE.
The grove itself is peculiarly adapted tor
the purpose. Ample in its proportions, easy
of access by rail and private road, well shaded
and well watered, healthy and healthful, it
meets all the requirements necessary for this
great exhibition. The soil is sandy, dries
quickly after rain, and in dry seasons the
dust is laid by artificial means. The grounds
are laid out into avenues and streets along
which exhibitors buildings are erected. At
first these were only tents, or at best, cheap
frame structures, but all buildings erected now
are of permanent and substantial character,
some of them being handsome two-storisd
intended. On the outer ends of the avenues
are erected such tents and structures as are
necessary to afford sleeping accommodations.
WHAT IS TO BE sEEN.
Every year there is marked Improvement
in the variety and character of the exhibits.
Manufacturers from all parts of the country
vie with each other In making their exhibits
attractive and salabe. They include every
conceivable variety OF improved farming inn.
plements and machinery as well as exhibits of
live stock and poultry, to which is added
building materials and manufactured articles
of all kinds. The applications for space ex'
coed those of last year 80 per cent. and they
come from nearly every State in the Union.
The exhibit this year will not be surpassed by
that of any State or county fair in the United
States.
LECTURERS AND SPEAKERS.
The intellectual part of the exhibition is q
prominent feature. The list OF speakers
is carefully selected and comprises some of
the ablest talent in the country. Lectures or
addresses will be delivered in the Auditorium
three times each day. Among those
who will speak are. His Excellency
Governor James A. Beaver Rev.
Thomas K. Beecher, D. D., Col. A. X.
Mcclure, Hon. Charles f. Smith, Hon. Levi
Maish, Hon. W. F. Sadler, Hon. r, M. Hem
derson. Hon. Thos. V. Cooper. DIR. f. E..
Higbee, Superintendent Public instruction,
Pennsylvania; DR.. Doyles, General f. s. Os>
borne. Prof. s. B. Heiges, Hon. s. NJ. Wherrv
j. M. Munyon, editor Munyon's Illustrated
World; Prof. g. G. Croft, OF Lewisburg Uni
versity, Hon. Leonard Rhone Worthy Master
of the Pennsylvania State Grange; Hon.
Mortimer Whitehead. Worthy Lecturer of the
National Grange; Hon. V. E. Piollet, Chair
man Executive Committee Pennsylvania State
Grange; Hon. Gerard C. Brown, Worthy
Lecturer Pennsylvania State Grange; and d.
H.. Thing, Esq. Worthy Deputy Lecturer
National Grange.
THE NEW AUDITORIUM.
The management has this year made liberal
expenditures in improvements intended for
the convenience and comfort OF those who at
tend. The mot important of these is the
erection of large auditorium or assembly
hall. 1t is the largest public hall in the Cum
berland Valley and is splenddly adapted il
everv way for the purpose intended. In n any
respects it resembles the Forest Park Pavil-
lion near Ottawa, Ka lsas, which is used for q
similar purpose. The new auditorium has q
seating capacity of $500, and as means o.
shelter in the event of storm would accom-
modate three or four times that many persons
1t is erected 10 a most substantial manner, the
roof being supported by heavy wooden trusses
It Is open on the sides and end, with
ample exits and entrances along the sides. A
projecting roof affords all necessary shelter
from the weather. AT the western end is a
large stage or platform and at either side Of
this are rooms for Offices and book rooms
The floor is level for short distance in front
Of the stage and then has gradual rise to the